‘Freak of Nature’ Rare White Humpback Whale Seen Off Coast of Australia – The Lakota Prophecy?

Whale watchers off the coast of Sydney have spotted one of the rarest sights in the world.

The super rare white Migaloo humpback whale was spotted by the expedition who got more than they bargained for.

Whale-watchers live for documenting sightings of rare species, and this particular whale is thought to be so rare it is one of only three on earth.

The completely white wale is the product of albinism, a lack of pigment in the skin. This can often be the downfall for the affected animal as many species use their colour to blend in with the natural environment.

Credit: Jonas Liebschner

‘Freaks’ of nature like this are often failed by their appearance when it comes to catching prey. The whale was spotted last month by excited whale-watchers.

The first time one of the Migaloo whales were reported to have been spotted was in 1991 of the coast of Byron Bay, Australia, however the roots of the name come from Australian Aborigines which means the creature has likely been around for hundreds of years.

While it has been spotted most around the coasts of Australia, these elusive creatures have also been documented off the coasts of America, particularly where the Sioux tribes of Dakota, Lakota and Nakota live.

The sighting of the white whales is cemented in the Sioux folklore, and the tribes believe that the appearance of the whale happens at a time when humans need reminding of our actions towards our planet, and to remind us to be respectful to Mother Nature.

Leader of the Lakota, Chief Arvol Looking Horse is the 19th generation keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Bundle says the sighting of the Migaloo is both a blessing and a curse.

The showing of itself to humans is a rare and beautiful sight, but it urges us to look more carefully at our own actions and think deeper about how to care for our planet.

This incredible footage was captured by Jonas Liebschner, one of Whale Watching Sydney’s leading photographers: